Emergency Department Care for Prepubescent Patients Who Have Been Sexually Abused-Emergency Department Care for Prepubescent Patients Who Have Been Sexually Abused

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The position statement titled "Emergency Department Care for Prepubescent Patients Who Have Been Sexually Abused" discusses the need for specialized medical intervention for prepubescent children who have experienced sexual abuse. The statement emphasizes that sexual abuse of children is a complex issue that requires a safe and private environment for victims, developmentally appropriate care, and a multidisciplinary approach.<br /><br />The position statement outlines several key points, including:<br /><br />1. Providing a safe and private environment for children who may be victims of sexual abuse.<br />2. Offering age-appropriate, empathetic, and non-judgmental support to both pediatric patients and their caregivers.<br />3. Ensuring that non-offending parents and caregivers have access to community-based advocates.<br />4. Engaging social workers to assess risk factors and strengths within the family.<br />5. Using a trauma-informed approach throughout the child's care.<br />6. Administering consistent, objective, and immediate medical care to children who have been sexually abused and collecting forensic evidence according to jurisdictional guidelines.<br />7. Consulting or assigning specialized pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) or child abuse pediatricians when possible.<br />8. Providing ongoing education and access to current guidelines for emergency nurses.<br />9. Screening and assessing acute and non-acute concerns or disclosures of sexual abuse, making reports, referrals, and transfers as necessary.<br />10. Administering medically appropriate evaluation, testing, and treatment based on pediatric standards.<br />11. Collaborating with child advocacy centers and other agencies to develop individualized plans for evaluation, treatment, and continuity of care.<br />12. Triggering community intervention when there are concerns of non-disclosure and other potential victims in the same household.<br />13. Participating in community education and research to improve standards of care for pediatric patients who have been sexually abused.<br />14. Recognizing the obligation of healthcare facilities to provide or facilitate appropriate medical forensic intervention, even if they don't have a SANE program.<br />15. Developing policies for situations where the accompanying person may be the suspected offender or contributing to the abuse.<br />16. Supporting pediatric SANEs by establishing programs or relationships with other facilities.<br /><br />The position statement highlights the long-term physical and psychological effects of sexual abuse on children and the need for specialized care to address these issues. It also emphasizes the importance of collaboration among healthcare providers, criminal justice, and child protective services to address child sexual abuse as a public health issue. The document provides resources for additional information and support for healthcare professionals and victims of sexual abuse.

Meta Tag

sexual abuse pediatric

sexual abuse children

sexual abuse infants

sexual abuse forensic

sexual abuse abuse

sexual abuse SANE

sexual abuse protocols

sexual abuse training

sexual abuse trauma

sexual abuse exam

Keywords

Emergency Department Care

Prepubescent Patients

Sexual Abuse

Specialized Medical Intervention

Safe and Private Environment

Developmentally Appropriate Care

Multidisciplinary Approach

Trauma-Informed Approach

Forensic Evidence Collection

Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners